ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - The United States Consulate General Erbil on Tuesday emphasized the need for the swift formation of a “strong and resilient” Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) cabinet, over six months after the parliamentary elections were held.

“A strong and resilient Kurdistan Regional Government is necessary for Iraq’s security and stability,” a spokesperson for the consulate told The New Region. “We urge the Kurdistan Regional Government to swiftly form a new cabinet.”

The Kurdistan Region held parliamentary elections on October 20, from which the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) emerged victorious with 39 seats, followed by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) with 23 seats.

The two parties have held several meetings at various levels in recent months aimed at forming the next KRG cabinet. Both sides have repeatedly described their meetings as positive.

The consulate spokesperson said that the US shares a long history of partnership and diplomatic cooperation with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, adding that the opening of the new US consulate compound in Erbil later this year “reflects the United States’ commitment to the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.”

With 52,000 square meters, the new US Consulate General Erbil compound is set to become the largest consulate in the world.